Automatic numbering-machine



3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

N. P. OLSON.

AUTOMATIC NUMBERING MACHINE.

(No Model.)

No. 283mm;

Patented Aug. 14, 1883.

Inventur: Q%ZL os p n wmm mn. n. c.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

N. F. OLSON.

AUTOMATIC NUMBERING MAGHINE. No. 283,016. I Patented Aug. 14, 1883.

WW'SSEE ITVEYLLUY? (Np Model.) a Sheets'-Sheet 3.

N.P.OLSON.

AUTOMATIC NUMBERING MACHINE. 8.016. A V Patented Aug. 14, 1883.

W1 tne551=15= I g gwentfiri AMA/L- v N PETERS. PlwlcrlhbflyzphenWashington. DC.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFI E.

NILS r. OLSON, oF'oIIIo eo, ILLINOIS.

-AUTOMATIC NUMBERlNG-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 283,016, dated August14, 1883,

Application filed September 26, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NILs F. OLSON, of Chicago, in the county of Cook andState of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inAutomatic Numbering-Machines; andI do hereby declare that the followingis a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe "same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and toletters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of thisspecification.

The object of my invention is to provide a multiple numbering-machinethat will number a whole sheet of checks, tickets, 850., with ten,fifteen, or more numbers en route through the machine instead ofprinting one number at atime, as is done by,,machines now in generaluse. My machine may be run by steam, hand, or foot power, saves a greatdeal of time, and is easy to work as compared with the old machine,which the operator runs by a treadle, and in which he must at the sametime locate the impression of every numberby sight, aided only by apointer, thus necessarily rendering the work hard, tedious, and slow. Myinvention obviates these objections by means of a series of circularplates arranged and adjusted laterally on a shaft, and having on theirframe is movably secured 011 the periphery of v the large circularplates. Fig; 4 is a side elevation of the units numbering-disk havingthe ratchet attached. Fig. 5 is a perspective View of the stepped andstationary axis on which the numbering-disks revolve. Fig. 6 shows theadjustable pawl or finger for operating the square.

ratchet. Fig. 7 is an end view of the inkingrollers, showing how themotion is imparted from one to the other, and showing in dotted linesthe manner of attaching the connectingrod thereto. Fig. 8 is a plan viewof my invention.

In the drawings, A A represent the side and A A the end frames of mymachine, which, when properly secured, make a rectangle or Pursuing acentral and transverse course from one side frame to the other, andproperly j ournaled in,or near the top edges of the same, is thedrive-shaft B, actuated by belt and -pulley on the end of the same, orby other suitable mechanism. 011 this shaft B, just within andcontiguous to the pulley, is a gearwheel, 12, which meshes with thegear-wheel b on the end of the cylinder-shaft O, which is of the samediameter. Theshaft O carries the cylinder (3, arranged on aperpendicular line immediately below the drive-shaft. The gear-wheel I)also meshes with the pinion b on the end of the principal inking-rollershaft, which communicates its motion to the other inking-rollers,substantially as shown in Fig. 7, and as hereinafter more fullydescribed. On the'end of the shaft 0, just beyond the gear I), is apulley, c, which, by means of the belt 0 and cross-belt c actuates thetape-roller shafts c c.

From the foregoing description it will be perceived that the shafts Band G make the same number of revolutions at the same time, and that thespeed of the whole machine is regulated by that of the driving-shaft.

Placed upon and adjustable laterally on the shaft B is a series ofcircular plates, D, each of which is provided with annular T-mortises(1, arranged directly opposite each other in either side or face, nearthe peripheries of the same. These mortises are adapted to receive thefeet e or the clamping device 0 on the lower extremities of the legs eof the frame E, straddling and riding on the periphry of the saidplates, as shown in Fig. 3.

Permanently secured by keys at a, in or near the upper ends of the arms6 of the frames E, is the stepped and fixed axis F, each step of whichis provided with a circumferential groove, f, having in it acam-surface, f, and a series of ten serrations, immediately adbehereinafter explained.

jacent to said groove. The cam-surface f should only occupy a littleover one-tenth of the circumference of the step in which it is loeated,and should gradually rise, so as to lift the pin moving over it withoutcreating un due opposition from friction, and should terminate abruptly,so as to precipitate the said pin back into the groove again, ashereinafter more fully set forth. Immediately contiguous to the step ofthe greatest diameter is a flange, 9, having a series of ten angularincisions, 1 in its inner face, the whole of which is shown in Fig. 5. I

Revolving on and around the fixed axis F is aseries of disks, 1, 2, 3,4, and 5, held thereon by a washer, h, and nut 11 on one side and theflange g on the other. These disks are all of the same diameter, andhave cut in their peripheries a series of ten dovetail mortises, 7;,which receive the dovetail tenons or shanks of the type is, which arerigidly held in place by the wedges 76", thus rendering it possible toremove the figure-type from the disks when they become worn or damaged,and replaced without necessitating a comparatively large expenditure fora whole cluster of disks and their concomitant parts, as is now thecase. Each of the said disks, excepting the last one that is, the onenext the flange (/has an an nular flange, Z, projecting at right anglesto it from and surrounding the central aperture of the same. Disk 1 hasa suitable recess, Z, in its outer face, in which, is set a volutespring, on, (secured therein by a stub-screw,) pressing downward-on thestop an, the lower or inner end of which is conical. Said stop is placedin a radial perforation, having a beveled seat which extends from therecess Z to the first step in the fixed axis, and it is adapted to enterthe corresponding recesses or serrations, g, in the same. Arrangeddiametrically opposite the spring-actuated stop, in a suitable recess inthe annular bearingsurface of the flange Zof said disk, is a spring, a,conforming to the curvature of the circumference of said bearingsuriaee,and provided with a pin, n, passing at right angles through its freeend, which is adapted to move in the groove f, having the canrsurface f,in the manner hereinbefore described, and substantially as shown in Fig.4.

On the outer face of the disk 1 is the ratchet G, secured in place bystub-screws, and provided with ten serrations corresponding in positionto the ten type. These serrations are engaged by a pawl or finger, whichurges them forward one or more points at a time, as will Thespring-actuated stop enters the corresponding recesses one at a time, soas to regulate the exact distance the disks move, which, it will beunderstood, should be divisible in every instance by one-tenth thecircumference of said disks. \Vhen the units-disk has completed a revolution and is about to commence another, the spring-actuated pin a will beurged over the cam-surface f, and projected into one of the like that ofdisk 2.

into the groove and performs its function once during every revolutionin the manner just described. Disk 2 has a spring-actuated pin, a, fortransmitting its motion to disk 3, which is similar in construction andin every respect The spring-actuated stop, however, is different, thespring being flat, holding in its end a conical projecting piece, 1),and fitting and operating in a recess, 1), made in the annularbearing-surface of the flange Z, diametrically opposite that in whichthe spring-actuated pin is placed. The projecting piece 2 enters theserrations of the second step, subserving the same purpose asthespring-actuated stop in the units-disk. Disks 3 and l, representing thehundreds and thousands column, respeetively, are constructed and operatein identically the same manner as disk 2, moving the next successivedisk onetenth of a revolution once during each of its own revolutions.Disk 5, or the last of the series of disks, does not have toconnnunicate its motion to any successive disk. It is therefore minusthe flange and the spring-actuated pin for transmitting motion. 1tnecessary, however, with this, as well as the othcrdisks, to devise somestopanotion. This I accomplish by a flat spring, r, placed in a suitablerecess in its outer face, which has on its free inner end aconical-shaped piece, 1', which enters the incisions in the contiguoussurface of the flange 9.

3y the mechanism just described a perfectacting automatic numberingdevice is made, which ispositivc and accurate in its operation. It isnot, however, necessary to limit myself to five disks, as it is obviousmore can be used by increasing the number of steps of the fixed axis anda corresponding number of intermediate disks; but in all cases the firstand last disks must remain substantially as shown and described.

Mounted on the end frames, A A, are the V- shaped fraines I, havingsuitable bearings in or near their apexes for the rock-shaft I. On saidi'ockshaft, just within its bearing at either end, are the collars K,having feet 6 6, extending horizontally therefrom, which, together witha spring, 7, fastened at one end near the extremity of said foot and atthe other end in the lug S, projecting from said frame I, are utilizedto regulate the motion of said rockshaft. Adjustable laterally on therock-shaft by means of set screws passing through the boss of the sameinto a longitudinal slot in said shaft is the series of pawls 9,whichcorrespond in numbers to the plates D, and are arranged in such positionas to intercept the ratchet of each respectivenumbering device arrangedon the periphery of said plate D. These pawls have one or moreengaging-points, adapted to intercept the ratchet, of such a curvaturethat when the first engaging-point has caught in a serration and urgedthe ratchet forward one point the apex of thefollowing' and succeedingserrations will raise the pawl, so that the first engaging-point willrelease the serrati-on it engaged with and allow the ratchet to continueits revolution. If, though, for any reason, or from any desiredarrangement or system of numbering, it is necessary to skip sev-. eralnumbers it can be done by making a pawl with a corresponding number ofengagingpoints of a curvature similar to the first, and in a position tointercept a like number of serrations of the ratchet as it moves in itsgreater orbit. Thus one pawl will operate all the numbering devicesarranged on one plate. The numbering devices have a planetary movement,having, as will be seen, the motion of the circular plates and anindependent motion of their own.

12 and 13 are the series of tapes which carry the paper from thefeed-board over the lower cylinder to the inclined box-shaped delivery14; The lower series of tapes, 13, are arranged so that the rollers 15nearest the feed-board are placed four or five inches below the rollers16 of the upper series of tapes, thus forming a safe means of ingressfor the paper it is fed from the feed-board. As it is desirable to bringthe upper and lower tapes together before they reach the point where thepaper receives the impression of the figure-type as it passes over thecylinder, I place a series of rollers, 17, on a horizontal line with thetop of said cylinder, between the same and said rollers 15 and 16, thusaccomplishing the desired effect. As it is necessary that the lowertapes should travel around the cylinder, I place a series of rollersimmediately below the same, which can be adjustable vertically to renderthem serviceable as belt-tighteners.

Near either end of thedrive-shaft, within its bearings, are cams M,which operate the levers M, fulcrumed at or about their centers oflength, and provided with a vertical rectangular plate, 19, connectingtheir outer and free ends, which have vertical slots in it to allow thepassage of the tapes. This arrangement of mechanism furnishes afeed-stop, I, which opcrates vertically, and when down rests upon atransverse flattened bar or plate, 20, secured in the end frames.

If desired, the levers M may be extended so as to operate between thefeed-board and the rollers 15 and 16, thus avoiding the difficulty ofadjusting the slots in the plate 19 to the position of the tapes, whichit is to be understood are adjustable laterally.

Located in asimilar position on the cylindershaft as the cams M are onthe drive-shaft are the cams 0. These cams have, bearing and upwardagainst the end nearest the cams O, the expansion spring, thus keepingthe frictionwheels contantly in contact with the peripheries of thecams. Connected or pivoted to the ends of the levers O farthest from thecams are the connecting-rods S, which extend upward, and are pivoted tothe upper of the three inking-rollers S, S and S said upper roller beingconnected to the lower ones by links 22, substantially as shown indotted lines in Fig. 7.

S is the drive roller, receiving its motion from the drive-shaft in themanner hereinbefore described. parted to the upper :roller, S", and byit transmitted to roller S Thus, when the connecting-rod is pulleddownward by the action of the lever O, the three rollers are brought tobear on the ink-plate, getting a fresh supply of ink, which they supplyto the numbering devices as they traveLpast. I

Having described my invention, its opera tion will be readilyunderstood. The paper is fed from the feed-board until its edge abutsagainst the stop, which, when it is raised off the bar upon which itrests, allows the paper to be carried between the tapes over thecylinder, at which point it receives the impression of the numberrepresented by the engaging row of figures, and continues to move onwardbetween the tapes out into the deliverybox. The numbering devicesrevolve with the circular plates, upon the periphery of which they arefastened, and with each revolution receive a fresh coatingof ink, andare urged forward one or more units at a time by the pawls engaging theratchets attached thereto.

I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exactarrangement of mechan- The motion of the roller S is im-.

inking-rollers, &c., on the other side of the circular-plates-for it isobvious changes of the kind may be made without departing from theprinciple of my invention.

WVhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is w 1. Anumbering device consisting of several disks having figure-type insertedin their peripheries, revolving around a fixed and stepped axis, eachstep of which is provided with a circumferential groove, in which is acanrsurface, and a series of serrations or their equivalents, which areadapted to be engaged by a spring-actuated. pin and a spring-actuatedstop, respectively, fore described.

2. A disk having an annular flange or boss,

in the bearing-surface of which are two segmental recesses,arranged-diametrically oppo-.

site each other, and are adapted to receive the spring-actuated pin andthe spring-actuated in the manner hereinbe stop, respectively, as andfor the purpose setforth.

3. A frame for holding the numbering device, provided with two verticalarms having bearingplaces in their extremities for the fixed axis andmerging into a common seat, which is adapted to ride and be adjustableon the periphery of a large circular plate, as hereinbefore specified,by -means of legs extending downward from said seat on either sideofsaid plate, said legs being provided alternately withinward-projecting feet and clamping devices adapted to entercorresponding circumferential T-grooves in said plates.

4. The disk 1, having a ratchet aflixed to its outer surface, a recessin which is a volute spring pressing downward on a st op whose lower orinner end is adapted to enter the serrations in the fixed axis, and aspring-actuated pin fitting and operating in a segmental recess in theannular bearing-surface of the flange of said disk.

5. Disk 5, or the disk representing the highest column of figures,having a radial recess, in which is a flat spring holdinga conical pieceon its inner end, adapted to enter corresponding recesses in thecontiguous flange of the fixed axis, and provided with a series of tenholes in its annularbearingsurlace, as and for the purpose specified.

6. In a numbering device, the means for transmitting motion from one tothe next suecessive disk, consisting of the spring-actuated pin or,located in a suitable recess in thebcaringsurface of the annular flangeof one disk, the groove f in the contiguous engaging-surface of thefixed axis, in which said pin n travels, having a cam-surface, f, andthe holes 0 in that part of the bearing-surface of the next successivedisk engaging the outer surface of the annular flange ot' the diskin'nnediately preceding it and surrounding the course of the pin 01.

7. The combination of the numbering devices and the frames carrying thesame with the circular plates 1), having circum'l'erential grooves d, bymeans of which said numbering devices and their frames are adjustable ontheir peripheries, said plates D being adj ustable laterally.

S. An automatic multiple numbering-machine consisting of a number ofrotating cir cular disks placed side by side and adjustable laterally ona suitable shaft, each of which is provided with a suitable number ofnumbering devices adjustable on their peripheries, tapes forintermittently and consecutively convcying the paper to be numberedwithin the reach of said numbering devices, and a cylinder suitablyarranged in COIljllllCtlOll with said disks and numbering devices, so asto sustain and afford a backing to the paper receiving an impressionfrom said numbering devices.

9. The combination of a number of rotating circular disks placed side byside and adjustable laterally on a shaft, a number of numbering devicesadjustable on, the peripheries of each of the said disks, and a numberof pawls, as described, adjustable laterally on a rockshai't,corresponding in number and position to said disks, so as to actuate thenumbering devices mounted thereon.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I hereunto aflix mysignaturein presence of two witnesses.

NILS F. OLSON.

IVitnesses:

JAMES H. (oYNrr FRANK D. '1 notmsoN.

